Letter Carriers Weigh In On Hunger

While donations are still rolling in, so far more than 307,000 pounds of food were collected in the Oklahoma City metro-area as part of the Letter Carriers’ Food Drive. On Saturday, May 13, letter carriers in more than 195 central and western Oklahoma cities helped “Stamp Out Hunger” by collecting donations from residents on their mail routes. Donations benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and its partners across the state.

“I want to thank the letter carriers and everyone who made a donation to help fight hunger in our state,” said Katie Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. “Thanks to your support, the Regional Food Bank, and its partner agencies, will have more food available to help feed our hungry neighbors. Thank you for your generosity.”

Many groups and individuals contributed to the success of this food drive, including letter carriers, volunteers, sponsors, donors and numerous businesses. Nearly 550 volunteers sorted the donations at metro-area post offices as letter carriers returned from their routes.

If you missed your letter carrier, donations can be dropped off at your local post office or Oklahoma City Fire Stations through May 30. Monetary donations can also be made online at feedinghope.org, by calling 405-600-3136 or by mail at Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Attn: Letter Carriers’ Food Drive, PO Box 270968, Oklahoma City, OK, 73137-0968. For every dollar donated, the Regional Food Bank is able to provide the equivalent of five meals. A $10 donation will provide 50 meals, or a $25 donation will provide 125 meals.

“Thank you for donating and impacting the lives of our neighbors,” said Steve Riggs, statewide chair of the Letter Carriers’ Food Drive. “Hunger is a silent epidemic that is closer than you think. One in six Oklahomans face hunger every day.”

Even though the one-day food drive is over, nearly 125 business locations in the Oklahoma City area are holding employee-driven food drives through May 19.

For more information about the Letter Carriers’ Food Drive, or to sign up for the Feeding Hope Drive, contact Natalie Wood at nwood@regionalfoodbank.org or 405-600-3174.